"Yeah, but now we want to hire just one girl to be the face of a whole new advertising campaign. Billboards, maga
zine layouts, television commercials. Everything you've ever wanted. I figured we could shoot pictures for the bike I'm designing for Tommy in Milan, and I want to make a version of the All-American called The Tour that we photograph in France and Germany. It will require that you go on an extended trip across Europe, but as CEO of the company, I would oversee the entire project and travel with you."
"Are you serious?" Kayla's bright-blue eyes lit up with excitement.
"Absolutely. I had Keith draw up contracts and Steve is prepared to cut you a check for any amount you want to get you to take the job. We'll let you have any bike in our fleet to keep, pay your travel expenses, and give you a monthly salary, plus bonuses.
“It's the deal of a lifetime and worthy of a top model. I want that model to be you, Kayla. It will make you the household name you've always wanted to be."
She looked so happy, I thought she was certain to say yes, but then she surprised me by shaking her head no.
"I would be the girlfriend of the owner who got handed a job she didn't deserve."
"But you do deserve it. You're beautiful, talented, and nobody is better at modeling bikes than you are."
"Thanks, but others aren't going to see it that way. Everybody knows Speed Magazine has a certain way of advertising. You're famous for picking a new ingénue every month and placing her on the cover. If you changed that now and made me the face of your company, everyone would know you were doing it for me."
"So what? I love my girl, and I don't care if the whole world knows it. I'm willing to turn my company upside down and change everything about it if it makes you happy. Hell, I'll sell the whole damn thing and hand you all the cash if you want it; you can use it to start your own modeling company."
"Thanks, but that's not necessary," Kayla giggled at me. "I actually have a modeling job and it's everything I ever wanted."
"What? Why didn't you say so? Tell me all about it." I was so happy for her; I could feel my heart ready to burst.
"It's for a new fashion line that Gwyneth has created. I fly out to New York next week to start shooting the catalog. There'll be a web page, magazine ads, billboards, and television commercials. I'll be shooting in Paris, Prague, Nuremberg, and Milan. It's the dream job I've always wanted."
"That's great. I'm so happy for you, and I couldn't be more proud of you. I knew you could do it. When do you leave?"
"I fly to New York Friday for a week, and then it's off to Europe for the next six weeks."
"Wow. That's a long time. I'm really going to miss you. Can we spend every night together until then? It might be enough to hold me over while you're gone; although I can't promise I won't fly to Germany to visit you while you're there."
"No," she said simply and I felt my heart break. Then she smiled and said, "Because I'm not going."
"What do you mean you're not going? You have to. This is the job you've always wanted."
"Yes, but when I chose career over love, you proved to me that you'd do anything to make me happy. Now, I want to do the same for you. I'm choosing love over career. I'm calling Gwyneth first thing tomorrow and telling her I can't take the job. I'm going to be the model for Speed Motorcycles, instead."
"Are you sure? I just want you to be happy. That's all I care about."
"I know, and that's why I know I want to be with you. I can get a modeling career anywhere. Hell, I've had two offers for international jobs this week alone. But where else am I going to find a man who loves me as much as you do?"
We kissed then, long and deep. When we broke apart for air, I still had a burning question. "So why wait until tomorrow to call her?"
Kayla grinned at me and said, "Because tonight, I'm spending the whole evening making love to my boyfriend."
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kayla
Ethan grabbed me hard and pulled me tightly against his muscular chest. I could feel the strength of his pectorals rippling as his abs tightened into that washboard stomach I loved to touch.
I threw myself into his embrace, melting into his kiss as his mouth overtook mine with a hunger that could not be quenched. God, it felt good to be back in his arms again. I had missed this so much; missed him so much.
He hoisted me into the air with his strong hands and set me on the kitchen counter. Dressed in nothing but a silk nightie with matching panties and a thin, silk robe, I could feel the cool granite on my bare thighs and it made me shiver. Ethan covered my body with hot kisses and I was instantly warmed.
"Let's play, master," I said to him with a naughty smile, and he gave me a wicked grin in return.
"Take off your robe," he commanded. I did as I'd been told, handing it to him with a sexy wink.